1st Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Attentiveness to the Word of God

From now until the beginning of Lent on February 14 this year, our weekday Gospel readings will be taken from the Gospel of Mark.  

Without skipping any passages we’ll make our way from chapter 1 through chapter 8—beginning with the Lord’s baptism, which we heard yesterday, up through the Lord’s feeding of the five thousand during his public ministry. During these few weeks of Ordinary Time before Lent, we will read of healings and exorcisms, parables and teachings and miracles.

Why do we read from the Gospels in this way? Why do we read from the scriptures at all at Mass? After all, at the Last Supper, Jesus said, take and eat, take and drink, he didn’t say take and read.

In scripture we find that God’s Word precedes His presence. Before, the Son of God became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary, his presence was first announced by an angel. When God spoke to Mary, she responded obediently, “Let it be done unto me according to Thy Word.” She first receives the Word of God and then she becomes pregnant as the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Similarly in the Mass, we first listen to the Word of God prior to the reception of the Word Made Flesh in the Eucharist. And so, the liturgy of the Word in the celebration of Mass is of great importance. 

We should not be in a hurry just to receive the Eucharist. We should savor the Word of God spoken to us, and attend to it with great attentiveness.

The 2nd century Church father Origen of Alexandria spoke of the importance of carefully and attentively listening to the Word of God, saying that we should have the same care in listening to the Word of God at Mass to receiving the Eucharist. He said, “You who are accustomed to take part in divine mysteries know, when you receive the body of the Lord, how you protect it with all caution and veneration lest any small part fall from it, lest anything of the consecrated gift be lost. For you believe, and correctly, that you are answerable if anything falls from there by neglect. But if you are so careful to preserve his body, and rightly so, how do you think that there is less guilt to have neglected God’s word than to have neglected his body.”

So over the course of these weeks before Lent, pay attention to Word of God, savor it, savor the details of the Lord’s words and works, "Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God" as was prayed in the gospel acclamation today, and take care to retain what you hear, to cherish it like our Lady in your heart, that you may be drawn deeper into the divine life, and be a beacon of God’s presence in the world, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

19th Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Become like Children (St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross)

 In his teaching about the Kingdom of God, besides his employment of a lot of agricultural imagery, Jesus often used the image of the child.  

Children are eager, energetic, and ready to learn and grow.  So should we be.  Eager to please the Lord by our conduct.  Energetic in our charity and generosity towards others.  And always ready to learn about our faith and grow in holiness.

Children are dependent on their parents for life, security, and education.  And so are all of us upon God. 

And Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”  

Childlike humility is characterized by its deep trust.  Imagine the child gazing into the eyes of their parents in wonderment, listening to every word they are saying and believing it, taking it into their heart.  That is supposed to be every Christians attitude toward God—straining our ears wanting to hear him, wanting to sit in his lap, lay our heads on his chest.

In today’s first reading, God tells the Prophet Ezekiel to be obedient like a trusting child and eat what he would give him. The chief sin of the people of Judah was their disobedience to God, their refusal to be obedient trusting children. “Be not rebellious like this house of rebellion, but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.” Those words are also spoken to us. The world, the culture is rebellious toward God, refusing to eat the food God gives us. 85% of Catholics refuse to come to Mass weekly to be nourished by Word and Sacrament. So we must go to the them. It is commanded.

“Eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.” Notice how Ezekiel is nourished by God, then sent on a mission. And again, so are we. We are fed by the Word of God, in order to live by the Word of God, which entails speaking the Word of God to others, becoming prophetic instruments, speaking to the rebellious of the need to return to God, becoming fishers of men. 

Today, we celebrate a saint, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, a jewish convert, who came to Christ late in life, who became like a child late in life. After a long career in philosophy, she entered the Camelite monastery. The year was 1932, Adolf Hitler was chancellor of Germany. In 1942, the Nazi’s arrested Sister Teresa Benedicta.  She and her sister Rosa, also a Catholic, were transported to Auschwitz in Poland by boxcar.  One week later, Sister was murdered in a gas chamber. She is celebrated as a virgin martyr.

May St. Theresa help us to trust God, to run like children to the cross, by which God is glorified and men are saved for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the conversion of atheists, agnostics, those who are cynical towards Catholicism, moral relativists, those who reject the Faith, and all lapsed Catholics, that the Holy Spirit will help them discover the Truth of Christ. 

That the Holy Father, the Bishops and all Clergy and Religious will be shining examples of fidelity to the Truth.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. 

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2022 - Scripture in Public Worship and Private Prayer

 
Ezra the priest, from our first reading, was a descendent of those Israelites who had been carried away into exile by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.  For over a hundred years, Jews had lived and worked in Babylon, cut off from their traditions, their history, their rituals, their stories, and their worship.  A generation of Jews was growing up without knowing about God freeing their people from slavery in Egypt, they grew up without knowing the promises God made to Abraham, without the knowledge of the ten commandments or the promised land.  They grew up only knowing the gods and practices of Babylon-- a culture which practiced child sacrifice, polygamy, and other behaviors condemned by Jewish law.

Imagine if your children or grandchildren knew nothing about their family histories, knew nothing about their heritage, in fact, they had adopted practices which were exactly opposite of the truths of their faith.  In a way, not knowing their history, not knowing their faith, you would say, that they did not know themselves.  

While in captivity, some like Ezra the priest strove to keep alive knowledge of the Jewish faith and culture—but most of his fellow Jews had become assimilated by the surrounding culture. Then around the year 458, the Babylonian King Artaxerxes allowed Ezra and Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem and what they found broke their hearts.  They found Jerusalem, the once great capital, a wreck--her walls breached and knocked down, the great temple destroyed.  Priest and Prophet wept.

But inspired by God, they endeavored to rebuild the temple and rebuild their religion.  Nehemiah was tasked with the physical construction of the Temple, while Ezra the priest labored to reeducate the people who had grown ignorant of their history and traditions, their religious rituals and practices; he labored to teach the people who they were, give them a sense of identity as a nation set apart by God, and to teach them the laws of the faith which enabled them to be the people God had chosen them to be.

So as we heard, Ezra gathered the men, women, and children, and read to them from the Torah.  He stood on a raised platform in the rebuilt Temple, and from morning until midday read the Torah from beginning to end:  Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.  For hours and hours the men, women, and children listened to their story, their family history, the laws which God had given them. They raised their hands in the air, and proclaimed, “Amen, Amen”.  And they bowed down to the ground and wept discovering who they were for the first time: they were not captives, they were not pagan Babylonians, they were the people chosen by God to manifest his greatness.

This is certainly a fitting reading to reflect upon on this Word of God Sunday. As you might remember, in 2019, Pope Francis declared the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time as Sunday of the Word of God, directing us to consider how, in the life of the Church, the Scriptures are to be celebrated, studied, and shared. 

The story of Ezra and the people of Israel reconnecting with the scriptures, is a wonderful image of what the Church does every time we gather for public worship and the role of the scriptures in our private lives and our families.

Every time Christians gather for worship, at every Mass and liturgy, scripture is read. As Vatican II’s document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium explains: “Sacred  scripture  is  of  the  greatest  importance in  the  celebration  of  the  liturgy.  For  it  is from  it  that  lessons  are  read  and  explained in  the  homily,  and  psalms  are  sung.  It  is  from the  scriptures  that  the  prayers,  collects,  and hymns  draw  their  inspiration  and  their  force, and  that  actions  and  signs  derive  their  meaning.” 

The Scriptures help continue to form us in the bonds of unity and charity and guide our activity out in the world.  For example, as we proclaim Gospel passages of Jesus healing the sick, we consider how Jesus heals each of us individually, how he heals the wounds of division in the human family, and how he sends us out to be bring his healing Word to the world.

So in our public worship, the scripture aids our mission and identity and opens us up to the power of the Spirit. In our private prayer lives and in our families, Scripture is meant to nurture, guide, form, challenge, and inspire us as well. A day shouldn’t go by without reading or meditating on some line of the Bible. Your day is impoverished without scripture. 

Paul instructs Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” So we do well to study, meditate, seek to understand the scriptures as best we can so that we can be equipped for the work God has for us.

I recommend starting your day by reading the daily mass readings which can be emailed to you daily or freely read on the United States Bishops Website.  Scripture is not always easy to understand. Read it anyway. You’ll no doubt find a word or phrase that resonates with you, through which God wants to speak to you. I also recommend reading the weekend readings prior to coming to mass. Having read and reflected upon the readings yourselves, you will derive so much more, than, if you simply come to mass, cold, so to speak. 

Read through them and ask yourselves questions like: what does this scripture mean in the concrete details of my life? What does God want me to learn here? What does this passage say about God, about Jesus, about the Church, about the Christian life? God what are you inspiring me to do through this scripture? What wounds are you healing? What virtues are you strengthening? What sins are you converting? Speak, O Lord, your servant is listening.

Having meditated on the scriptures, you will discover how God will use that time of prayer to enrich your family life and your encounters with strangers—how the scriptures are fulfilled in your lives.

Joshua chapter 8 says, “Keep this Book always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words”, says the book of Revelation, “and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.”

May we continue our worship today thanking God for the Word which is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path, the word which is more valuable than silver or gold, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

4th Week of Lent 2021 - Monday - Feasting on God's Word

We now begin the second half of Lent.  Leading up to Holy Week, our Gospel readings for daily Mass are taken from the Gospel of John.  

Where St. Luke strives to give a historical, chronological account of the ministry of Jesus Christ, John’s Gospel is arranged, not strictly chronologically, but topically or theologically.  He aims to answer the theological question: Who is Jesus Christ?

Where each of the other evangelists record many miracles, John chooses only seven: the miracle at the wedding of cana, the healing of the nobleman’s son, the healing of the paralytic, the feeding of the five thousand, the walking on water, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus.

John carefully records people’s reactions to Jesus’ miracles, as well. After the healing of the nobleman’s son, today, we hear how the whole household began to believe in him.  After his miraculous feeding of the five thousand and his subsequent teaching on the Bread of Life in chapter 6, we hear how many people who were initially following Jesus turned away from him, finding the teaching, that Jesus gives us his flesh and blood to eat and drink too hard to believe.

How do I react to the miracles and teachings of Jesus? Is it in-one-ear-and-out-the-other? Or do I allow the word of God to water my soul? Whether we are attending daily mass or not, we do well, to reflect upon the scriptures throughout the day. 

To ask, what does this teach me? What does this demand of me? Which of my habits does this challenge me to change?

To begin the day with a bit of scripture, and return to it, throughout the day, fills the day with God’s word, and welcomes God’s creative and transformative power into our lives. Like in the prophet Isaiah this morning, God says, “Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth. The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create” This is what the Lord desires to do in us, to create a new heavens and a new earth in us. 

The Royal Official should be our companion all day today, his response of faith and that of his household, Isaiah's promise of God's re-creation. should be considered all day.

The season of Lent should be filled with much more of God’s word, not less. Which is why we fast from the non-essentials, so that we can feast on the Word, throughout Lent; for man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

Through Word and Sacrament may the Lord continue to strengthen us in Holiness and transform our sins and sorrows into Joy, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

 

For an increase in faith for the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.

That the Church might be delivered and protected from all spirits of error, heresy, schism, and unbelief.

For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.

That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.

That those in need may find assist in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Celebrating, Studying, and Sharing the Word of God

 

Back in September of 2019, Holy Father Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio declaring the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time as Sunday of the Word of God, directing us to consider how, in the life of the Church, the Scriptures are to be celebrated, studied, and shared. So let’s talk a little bit about the Scriptures.

The life of the Church is marked, changed, guided, infused, inspired and transformed by the Scriptures though which God has spoken and continues to speak. The Lord never tires of speaking to us through His Word and the Church never tires of listening that we may grow in love and faithful witness.

It is by the Scriptures that we come to understand the works and words of God throughout salvation history. It is by the Scriptures that we come to understand ourselves, our need for salvation in this fallen world, the promise of salvation through Christ. We come to know who God is when we take-up and read. We come to know who we are, and who we are meant to be in God’s plan.

In his book “The Lamb’s Supper”, catholic author and theologian Scott Hahn talks about the misconceptions he had about Catholicism prior to his conversion. He was under the impression that Catholics did not truly value the scriptures. And then, one day, he felt drawn to attend mass, to see for himself, and what he found wasn’t that we did not value the scriptures, in fact, just the opposite. The scriptures infuse every line of the Mass.

The words of the sign of the cross at the beginning of mass are taken directly from the lips of Jesus in Matthew Chapter 28 (Go and baptize, ‘in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit). The greeting “the Lord be with you” is repeated often by St. Paul. Calling upon the Lord’s mercy in the penitential rite, not only draws upon the words of the repentant tax collected in Luke 18, but finds us beating our breast, humbling ourselves in ritual imitation of the sort of humility that is praised by the Lord Himself. The Gloria contains the words the Angels sing on Christmas in Luke chapter 2. And that’s just the introductory rite of mass. 

We then dedicate an entire portion of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word--to listen attentively to the Scriptures and to sing psalms in response. The homily breaks open the scriptures so that we can understand them better and better apply them to our lives. 

The Creed is then recited which is a concise synthesis of the faith conveyed in the scriptures. And the Eucharistic prayer is one phrase from scripture after another woven into a tapestry of petition, praise, and gratitude, as we literally do what Jesus told us to do at the Last Supper, as recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. After receiving the Word made flesh in the Eucharist, We are sent out into the world with words from scripture “go in peace”, spoken by our Lord to the women in Luke chapter 8, “daughter your faith has saved you, go in peace”

We are sent out to be fishers of men, as we heard in the Gospel this weekend. And one might say that our effectiveness as fishers of men is contingent upon the Word of God. Our knowledge of it, and to the extent that it infuses and directs our lives. 

And so we need to study the Word of God, as the Holy Father directs us. As scripture itself directs us. Joshua chapter 8 says, “Keep this Book always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words”, says the book of Revelation, “and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.” Paul instructs Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” So we do well to study, meditate, seek to understand the scriptures as best we can so that we can be equipped for the work God has for us.

Scripture is not always easy to understand. Read it anyway. Study it anyway. Catholic Scriptures Studies like “The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture” and books by excellent Catholic scripture scholars like Scott Hahn and, Jeff Cavins, study Bibles like The Navarre Study Bible and The Word on Fire Study Bible published by Bishop Robert Barron are excellent tools. Fr. Mike Shmitz, a catholic priest from Duluth Minnesota, has the high rated podcast right now, with his series “The Bible in a Year”, and can be accessed for free. We have a bible study, in fact, every week, here at St. Ignatius, on Monday nights at 7pm in the school cafeteria.

Studying the scriptures in light of our Catholic Faith has never been more accessible. But that means taking a little time every day with our bibles in our laps or iphones or headphones, to hear the word, study the word, and meditate on the word.

Lastly, the Holy Father directs us to consider how the Word of God may be better shared. Having heard and celebrated the Word at Mass, having meditated upon it and studied it in our personal lives, we become more and more competent in sharing it with others.

For anyone that has access to social media, perhaps on a weekly basis, share a line from scripture that challenged you or inspired you that week, and share why. Don’t be afraid to share. Your time praying with, studying and meditating upon scriptures will touch others. For example, you can post to social media: I was going through a rough time this week, and this line from the Psalms spoke to me, here’s why. I was confused about how to handle a particular situation, and this parable resonated with me, here’s why. I came to a deeper understanding of Catholic moral or theological teaching because of this line from St. paul, here’s why.

And if you can’t do that with social media, how about, doing the same in person, perhaps with a family member who doesn’t go to Church. Write them…gasp…a letter. I was praying with this line of Scripture and it made me think of you, here’s why. The Lord is sending us like Jonah in the first reading, to speak the word of God to the inhabitants of Nineveh, to the sinful cities, and the lives of the confused and searching. And we must accept this calling, for we, might be the only prophet God wishes to send into some people’s lives.

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.” Becoming fishers of men, for all of us, likely means, making time to draw close to the Lord to listen to him, that he may equip us for the work he has for us, drawing others to Himself.

 May we continue our worship today thanking God for the Word which is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path, the word which is more valuable than silver or gold, the pearl of great price, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

December 7 2020 - St. Ambrose - Drinking deeply of the Word

 

Ambrose was of the Roman nobility, trained in the classics, a poet, and a noted orator made governor of the northern Italian city of Milan.  And in the year 370, while Ambrose was the Roman governor of Milan, the bishop died, and a heated argument erupted over who would be the next bishop.  Ambrose tried to resolve this dispute, and his oratory struck such a chord with the people that someone shouted out, “Ambrose for bishop”.  The orator was speechless, for he had no intention of being bishop, let alone a priest, he wasn’t ordained…he wasn’t even baptized, for he was still a catechumen preparing for baptism.  

He resisted, claiming that he was unworthy, but the people continued to acclaim, “Ambrose for bishop”.  The people prevailed, mostly because Ambrose wanted to preserve peace.  So on December 7 of that year, he was baptized, and was consecrated a bishop, a week later.  He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church.  

In his autobiography, the Confessions, St. Augustine talks about the impact of St. Ambrose upon his life. For years, Augustine had searching for the Truth, but not no avail. He wandered from one strange philosophy to another, even into the strange Gnostic cults like the Manicheas. 

The great turning point in Augustine’s life was during his stay in Milan. There he heard the preaching and teaching of the holy bishop St. Ambrose. Ambrose, by living an exemplary life worthy of Augustine’s admiration, was able to attract Augustine to the truth and goodness of the Christian Gospel.

In order to share the truth we must be grounded in the Word of God. St. Ambrose, as bishop, urged his priests to dedicate their free time to reading and studying the scriptures. Listen to Ambrose’s advice to his priests: “Drink, then, from Christ, so that your voice may be heard….He who reads much and understands much receives his fill.  He who is full, refreshes others.”

Having drunk deeply from the Word of God, St. Ambrose’s life was full of the life and truth of God, who through him, was able to touch the life of a searcher, like Augustine. 

What a perfect Advent saint and model for all of us. Like Our Lady, Ambrose said yes to God in a major moment in his life. And like Our Lady, Ambrose continued to say yes to God daily, sitting down with the scriptures in his lap, drinking deeply from the word of God.

May our lives and the Church be governed by the courage and wisdom which governed and filled the heart of St. Ambrose, doctor of the Church, that through us, Christ the Lord might draw others to himself for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That the teaching and preaching of the Pope and all bishops and clergy will be founded firmly upon the full truth of the Word of God. 

That all those who wander in error, far from the Gospel of Christ, may be led through the preaching and example of the Christian people to the fullness of faith. 

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

33rd Week in OT 2020 - Friday - The Sweetness of God's Word

 A few years ago, Pope Francis dedicated the third Sunday of Ordinary Time as “Word of God Sunday”. A day in which the Church was to consider the importance of the Word of God in our lives and to consider ways of making the Scriptures part of our everyday life.

Reflecting on the Scriptures, the holy father writes, we will be able to strive daily to embody and bear witness to their teachings.

The readings for this day contain a sort of reflection upon the word of God. Taking and swallowing the scroll in the first reading, St. John finds the words “sweet as honey” initially, but also a little troubling to the stomach. Also, in the Psalm, we hear the psalmist praise God for his word, God’s law is more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces”, his promises are sweeter to his palate” than “honey to my mouth”.

And in the Gospel, there were crowds of people who found the words of Jesus compelling and intriguing, the crowd was “hanging on his every word” while the his enemies, found them bitter, and conspired to silence the word, putting him to death. They rejected the word of God that seeks to purify, casting out evil from our lives, just like he purified the Temple, casting out that which did not belong in the Temple of God.

Why does the Psalmist describe the word of God as sweet? The word of God refreshes the soul. Reading it and reflecting upon it in dark times, in challenging times, we are enlightened by it, comforted by it. We encounter God’s promises as they give us hope, that what we suffer in this life for his sake shall be rewarded in the life to come, that the coldness in this earthly life will be replaced with this warmth of God’s embrace in eternity. 

God’s word, upon reflection, can also be somewhat bitter, in that, we soon come to discover that it challenges us to change, to give up our sinful attachments, and to bear the cross in union Christ. 

Pope Francis writes “The sweetness of God’s word leads us to share it with all those whom we encounter in this life and to proclaim the sure hope that it contains. Its bitterness, in turn, often comes from our realization of how difficult it is to live that word consistently, or our personal experience of seeing it rejected as meaningless for life. We should never take God’s word for granted, but instead let ourselves be nourished by it, in order to acknowledge and live fully our relationship with him and with our brothers and sisters.”

In the encounter of the sweet word of God, may we be generous in sharing it with others, drawing others to God, that they may become Temples of his Spirit, and may we generously allow the Word of God to purify our lives of all that is selfish or sinful, that we may radiate God’s goodness ever more effectively for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Christians may undertake the meditation and prayer necessary to live holy and righteous lives. 

For a healing of all family divisions, reunion for the estranged and welcoming of the alienated. 

That those who have fallen away from the Church or fallen into serious sin may repent and return to the grace of the Sacraments. 

For the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the aged, the lonely, the grieving, the unemployed, those who are facing financial difficulties, those with addictions, and the imprisoned: that God will draw close to them, and bless them with grace and peace.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

September 30 2020 - St. Jerome - Studying, Cherishing, and Practicing God's Word

Each year, we celebrate the feast of St. Jerome, the great doctor of the Church. Doctors of the Church are so-called because the word doctor comes from the latin word “docere” which means “to teach”, and the doctors of the Church have something important to teach all Christians, of all places, of all times.

St. Jerome, the great translator of the Hebrew and Greek bible into the latin Vulgate, teaches us that “ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ” And that is true for all Christians—Christians must know the scriptures so that they may know Christ as he wishes to be known.

“Blessed indeed is the man…whose delight is the law of the lord, who ponders it day and night”. The Christian recognizes, as the psalm says, that the scriptures are more valuable than gold or silver. 

Reading and pondering the scriptures is as important for our souls as food is for our bodies, for as the Lord himself said, we shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

The Scriptures deepen our understanding of the things of God, as Psalm 119 says, “the unfolding of God’s word gives light, it imparts wisdom and understanding to the simple.” The light of the scriptures helps to purify our minds from our worldly ways of thinking, it detaches us from loving the things of the world, and teaches us to value the love and wisdom of God. When we study the scriptures and ponder them and internalize them, we become like the wise head of the household extolled by the Lord in the Gospel, who “brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” We become like the blessed mother who “ponders in her heart” the words and actions of Jesus her Son. 

Paul gives us even more reasons to be versed in the Scriptures, as we heard in his letter to Timothy this morning, “Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” And it gives us hope in chaotic times, as Paul says, what is written is written for our encouragement…that we might have encouragement through the Scriptures (Romans 15:4).” So in chaotic times, we need more scripture study, not less.

Often, too,  we are afraid of sharing our faith and teaching our faith to the ignorant, but Paul says, if you read and study the scriptures you will be equipped for these things.

But most importantly, as St. Jerome would say, knowledge of scripture gives us knowledge of Jesus himself. We become accustomed to the way he thinks, to the divine logic, to his humility, and his love for humanity. Through the Scriptures we get a glimpse of his heart, and hear his heart speaking to ours.

Daily, the scriptures need to be held in our hands, uttered by our lips, and pondered in our hearts. May May we cherish God’s word today and all days, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may be equipped for every good work by the word of God, that through our love of the scriptures we may grow in wisdom and courage to share the good news.

For the success of our parish RCIA programs, that the uninitiated may seek God and answer his call to holiness. 

For our young people, that they may be raised in homes where the Word of God is studied, cherished, and practiced. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our families, friends, and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

1st Week of Lent 2020 - Tuesday - Words, words, words

In Scene II, Act II of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark sits in a library, reading a book, when Polonius, the King’s chief counselor asks the melancholy prince, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “words, words, words.” Of course, Polonius wants to know what Hamlet is reading about, the meaning of the words in the book. Hamlet’s deliberate misinterpretation of Polonius question suggests that the words he is reading are meaningless to him. The words of the page could not penetrate the mind and heart of the melancholy prince.

In our first reading, Isaiah the prophet speaks of how the word of God waters the human soul and does not return to heaven void as did the words of Hamlet’s page.

So, too, the words of prayer the Lord teaches in the Gospel today, are not empty, like the words of the pagans, whose prayers amount to a bunch babbling.

The Word of God brings transformation. It is meant to bear fruit. We are always to approach the scriptures with a hearts and minds ready to be changed by them. We are to be constantly ready to learn from them and be directed by them, to put them into action.

Hamlet could not be moved by words because they were the words of man and symbolic of his own inabilities, his frustrations at accomplishing his plans. But the Word of God brings life to souls and impels us into cooperating with God’s plans.

The Lord called the words of the pagans a bunch of babbling, because they did not wish to be changed by their prayers, they didn’t wish to engage in the work of God, they just wanted to be seen, through their empty words they wished to gain attention for themselves. Rather, the first petition of the prayer Jesus teaches is “Father, Thy Will be Done”.

Hamlet’s melancholy is shared by all who, seeking only after their own wills, their own false gods, end up exhausted and unfilled.

During Lent, we do well to spend much time reflecting upon the word of God, especially our Lenten Mass Readings and the passion narratives, and allow them to till the soil of our hearts and to help us surrender, like Christ, the Father’s will in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.

For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. And for all victims of the coronavirus and their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

6th Week in OT 2020 - Wednesday - Hearers and Doers of the Word

Summing up the entire spiritual life, St. Francis de Sales said: “Simply Obey. God does not ask anything else of you.”

Obedience is the fundamental disposition of the Christian disciple. The word obedience comes from the latin – oboedire which means to listen to, to give ear to, to heed, to pay attention.

The Old Testament prophets constantly remind the Jewish people to listen to the Word of God. Standing at the steps of the Jerusalem Temple, the Prophet Jeremiah instructed: “Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord.” Certainly we enter in through the doors of the Church, to hear the word of God, to incline our ear to God’s word. One of Israel’s most beloved Scripture passages, known as the Shema, is a command to listen: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is God. Love God with your whole heart.” We find the same command on the lips of Jesus in the Gospels.

St. James is clear in our reading today, that Christians must not allowing God’s Word to go in one ear and out the other. Christian discipleship requires an obedience that hears and heeds, listens and acts.  “Be doers of the word and not hearers only”. What we hear in Church, what we read in the Scriptures must be put into practice.

One of my favorite parts of the Ordination Rites, is when the deacon kneels in front of the Bishop who hands him the Book of the Gospels and says, “receive the word of God whose herald you have become: believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” All of us are to put into practice what we read in the Scriptures.

James explains too that in order for the Word of God to really take root in us, we must put away filth—the filth and the evil excesses of the world. A degenerate lifestyle, a love of sin, blocks our ability to hear the word, it hinders the transforming power of the word.

Rather, we must cultivate our souls to be rich soil, as the Lord teaches, that the word may take deep root in our souls so that it can bear fruit.

May we be not just hearers of the word but doers of the word, acting upon God’s word by striving for virtue and living in fraternal charity for the Glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Word of God may take ever deeper root in our hearts, minds, and souls.

That the Holy Spirit may direct the appointment of a new Bishop for the Church of Cleveland.

That young people may seek Christ amidst all the filth and evils of the world, and for the protection of innocent human life from evil.

For healing for all those suffering disease, especially diseases without known cures, for the people of China and all people afflicted by the Coronavirus, and all who are oppressed by any kind of need, that the Lord may graciously grant them relief, and For the Holy Father’s prayer intentions for this month: that the needs of migrants and victims of human trafficking may be heard and acted upon.

For the dead, for all of the souls in purgatory, and for X, for whom this Holy mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you are the source of all goodness, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith, we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

3rd Week in OT 2019 - Wednesday - "Whoever has ears ought to hear"

One of the most distinctive and well-known characteristic of Jesus’ teaching is his use of parables.  A parable is a short, memorable story or image, usually drawn from nature or daily life, that conveys profound spiritual truths.

And though we are 20 centuries and thousands of miles removed from ancient Israel, Jesus’ parables and teachings speak right to the heart.  Jesus’ parables are simple enough for a child to understand them, yet they have a hidden depth of meaning that it is not always easy to grasp, and only comes to light upon thoughtful, reflection.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus was quite aware that some people would hear and listen to him, but not understand him.  Even the disciples are often very slow in grasping the message, very hard-headed.

So, in the parable of the sower, Jesus teaches us how to listen to parables.  It is a parable about parables.  When you are listening to the teacher you must do your best that your mind and heart are not rocky, or thorny. He urges his listeners cultivate their souls to be like good soil to receive the seed of Jesus’ Word.

The Gospel is seed that is eaten by birds when we fail to reflect upon the Gospel and seek to understand it. Without deep reflection upon God’s Word, it will be like we never heard it at all.

Our souls are rocky grown when we listen to the Gospel without the willingness to live it out through the rocky times of life. Many give up on the Gospel when it gets difficult.

Our souls are thorny when we have too many worldly attachments, too many distractions, too much regard for earthly pursuits over heavenly pursuits. The thorns of the world choke out the goodness God wants to grow in us.

Our souls however are rich soil, when we hear God’s Word, when we accept its ramifications even with the willingness to suffer for it, when we clear out the thorniness of our worldly attachments so we can be more focused on doing God’s will.

The obstinate heart, the cowardly heart, the worldly and materialistic heart, the slothful heart: these are real enemies to the spiritual growth, the growth in holiness, the growth in understanding and truth, that God wants for us.

May our hearts be cultivated into the rich soil that generously receives God’s word and bear fruit that will last into eternity for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That every member of the Church may cultivate minds, hearts, and souls to receive the Word of God more deeply and fruitfully.
That leaders of nations may find guidance in the Word of God for proper governance and the pursuit of justice for all.
That Christian families may be places where the Word of God is studied, understood, obeyed, and cherished.
That the word of God may bring consolation to all those who suffer: for the sick, those affected by inclement weather or political turmoil, the indigent, those who will die today, and those who grieve.
For the deceased members of our families and parishes, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this Mass is offered.
O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all goodness, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain.

January 22, 2019 - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Several times in the Gospels Jesus asks those who had spent years studying the Scriptures if they've ever read a certain passage. He asks the Pharisees today, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?” Jesus, of course, knew that the Pharisees had indeed read that passage before. However, He also knew they had not grasped the full meaning of the passage, they did not realize how the Scriptures were being fulfilled through Jesus.

They had read the scriptures, but had failed to allow God’s word to take root in their souls, to give them fresh eyes for seeing, fresh minds for understanding and believing. So they were unable or unwilling to believe in Jesus and hardened their hearts toward Him.

A similar hardness of heart afflicts our nation. A hardness of heart which is unwilling to respect human life.

46 Years ago today, the Supreme Court made a decision which has led to the death of ten times more babies than the deaths of U.S. soldiers in all of our nation’s wars including the Civil War, the World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the War on Terror.

Even with science increasingly clear that human life begins with conception, hearts continue to grow harder toward life. I remember as a kid, the slogan was “make abortion safe, legal, and rare”. Now the slogan is “shout your abortion”. They revel in the fact that they have murdered a life.

So throughout the United States today, U.S. Catholics engage in prayer for the restored legal protection of the unborn.  This liturgy for life and justice calls for the wearing of purple vestments: purple, the color of grief and prayerful penance.  We grieve the abundance of sin and murder occurring on a daily basis for 46 years.  And we do penance for the abortionists, for the parents, for the politicians, for all those who further the culture of death, even those who do not repent. We do penance because we love life and we hope for their salvation. And we commit ourselves to praying and working for authentic justice for the unborn.

We pray that the truth of the Gospel of Life will take root in the hearts of every member of the human family, that it will dispel all darkness, and all hardness toward innocent human life, all unwillingness to respect life.

May every life be cherished and held sacred for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the leaders and members of the Church may fulfill with joy their calling to proclaim, celebrate, and serve the Gospel of Life, we pray to the Lord…
That Court decisions which permit the destruction of innocent life may be resisted and reversed, we pray to the Lord…
That God may protect all unborn babies, and keep them safe from the scourge of abortion, we pray to the Lord...
That all women facing difficult or unplanned pregnancies may receive compassionate care and the support they need, let us pray to the Lord.
That all medical professionals involved in the practices of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia, may experience conversion of mind and heart and cease these activities, we pray to the Lord…
For all women who have had abortions, that they may seek out and experience God’s tender mercy, we pray to the Lord.
In thanksgiving for the many children who have been saved from abortion through the efforts of the pro-life movement, we pray to the Lord…
For all the dead, for all the souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and for X, for whom this Holy Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

33rd Week in OT 2018 - Friday - Sweet and Sour Scroll

One of my favorite descriptions of a good preacher, is that in his preaching he comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. Every good homily should bring comfort, help, and inspiration to those who are struggling to remain faithful to the Gospel, and it should also shaken, awaken, stir-up those who may have grown complacent, those who have become a little too comfortable with sin, worldliness, and pride.

In the reading from Revelation, John receives a scroll of the word of God, which was both sweet to the tongue, yet sour to the stomach. John found the scroll sweet because it contained God’s sweet promises: his promises that those who are faithful to the Gospel shall inherit eternal life and shall have a place at the banquet feast of heaven, that earthly sufferings will ultimately come to an end and every tear will be wiped away. John also found the scroll sour because it also foretold how God’s people, would have to suffer persecution and martyrdom, they would have to be faithful to carrying their cross, if they wished to inherit eternal life.

The Psalm and the Gospel illustrate both the sweetness and the sourness of the Word of God.
On one hand, the Psalmist today sings of how sweet are the promises of God—the law of God’s mouth being more precious than thousands of Gold and silver pieces. How are God’s laws more precious? For gold and silver cannot purchase eternal life, they cannot obtain the joy and peace our hearts long for. Rather, it is only by knowing and following God’s word, God’s decrees, that we can obtain our eternal inheritance.

On the other hand, we see what happens when the Word of God enters a corrupt temple. He seeks to drive out the corruption. He’ll flip over tables, he’ll fashion a whip out of cords and drive out the sinful attachments, and that’s not always pleasant. But the Christian has to ask himself, would you rather live with corruption in your soul and die, and suffer in order to be cleansed of corruption, so that you may live?

In our modern age, many want the sweet part of the Gospel, but not the sour. They want the promises without the challenge, they want the resurrection without the cross, they want peace without having to suffer for it. Even some church leaders will distort the Word of God, highlighting the sweetness and omitting the sourness. And that’s somewhat understandable, who likes to suffer? But, it is only swallowing, believing and teaching the whole Gospel, the whole word of God, that we can become the people God made us to be, to live in the true freedom of the children of God, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112318.cfm
 
That Christians may undertake the meditation and prayer necessary to live holy and righteous lives.

For a healing of all family divisions, reunion for the estranged and welcoming of the alienated.

That those who have fallen away from the Church or fallen into serious sin may repent and return to the grace of the Sacraments.

For the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the aged, the lonely, the grieving, the unemployed, those who are facing financial difficulties, those with addictions, and the imprisoned: that God will draw close to them, and bless them with grace and peace.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

9th Week of OT 2018 - Tuesday - Growth in grace and knowledge of Christ

(Today, June 5, is also the Memorial of St. Boniface)

The second letter of St. Peter has a few major themes: to remind its readers of the truth of God’s Word, to warn Christians against false teachers who would lead them astray, and to rouse them to await Christ’s return by living a holy life.

Those three themes are evident in our passage today, which comprise second Peter’s final verses. These three themes also coincide with three themes of our liturgical season, of ordinary time.

During Ordinary Time, we turn to God’s word for constant reminders of who God is and who God calls us to be. Every Christian should have some exposure to the Word of God every day. The truth of the Gospels is easily forgotten, especially in times of stress, times of grief, times of temptation. Moral and theological errors bombard television and the internet, the university classrooms and social media. So when views contrary to the Gospel are actively propagated, as they are in our culture, we need to be reminded often of God’s word.

Secondly, second Peter teaches Christians to be on their guard against false teachers who introduce what he calls “destructive heresies”. In our passage today, Peter writes, “be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.” Peter recognizes that even Christians who are pretty stable in the faith, in the truth, need to be on guard. How easy it is to follow the bad example of the unprincipled!

Thirdly, Peter calls Christians to live in constant anticipation of the Lord’s return by always actively pursuing a holy way of life. “Grow in grace and knowledge” of Christ, he says today. The priest wears green during Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church year, to remind us that we are to be always seeking to grow in grace.

We do well to ask the Holy Spirit to help us identify those virtues and gifts in which he wants to help us grow. Is he calling us to grow in patience, in gentleness and generosity, and as we heard yesterday, in self-control, devotion, mutual affection, and charity.

Peter helps us to "render to God what belongs to God", as the Lord teaches in the Gospel. So Let us, as Peter tells us, “to make every effort” to grow, to be on guard, to be reminded of Christ’s presence with the Church and his imminent return, and to be a reminder to others, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all bishops and clergy will help defend the Church against error, and lead her always in the pathways of truth, righteousness, and charity.

For the conversion of all those who perpetuate error or set bad Christian example for young people and those of weak faith, and that social media may be used responsibly and for the spread of the Gospel.

For “growth in grace and knowledge of Christ” for all people.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord